SABATTUS — The annual town meeting was delayed Thursday evening because of poor voter turnout.

According to the town charter, a minimum of 25 residents must be present for the meeting to take place and by 6 p.m., only 23 were in attendance. Those in attendance called friends and family to the meeting and by 6:05 p.m. it began with 26 in attendance.

Voters approved a budget of $3.04 million for fiscal year 2016-17, including a $15,000 decrease in the operating budget and a $35,622 increase in capital expenses, compared to the current budget.

Town Manager Tony Ward approximated an increase in the mill rate of 1.5 cents, based on the municipal budget. The school budget will have a significant impact on the mill rate, Ward said.

Capital equipment expenditures were the most costly and increased the budget by $35,000, compared to the current budget. Voters passed $50,000 for the purchase of a firetruck, $20,000 for Public Works for replacement of a roll-off container truck, and $15,000 to buy two roll-off containers for the Transfer Station, to replace containers that can’t be patched anymore, said Transfer Station Manager Jerry Sabins.

Voters approved raising $198,000 to fund the Transfer Station. Sabins said the town is at a 43 percent recycling rate, which is higher than other municipalities.

Selectmen proposed raising and appropriating $470,000 to fund the Public Works Department while the Budget Committee proposed $480,000. Ward said the difference was the budgeted cost of fuel which has consistently been under budget. The lower amount was approved with one person opposing it.

A thermal-imaging camera was also approved at a cost of $6,000 to be added to an existing $6,000, for the Fire Department.

Voters approved raising $15,000 for deposit into the Police Department’s capital account toward the purchase of a police cruiser and voted to raise the sum of $57,000 for dispatch services which have recently been transitioned from the town of Lisbon to Androscoggin County. Ward said the change would save taxpayers between $9,000 and 10,000 over three years.

Selectmen did not recommend raising $20,000, as proposed by the Budget Committee, to fund the purchase of a Public Works truck, saying there is $109,000 in a fund for this and buying a new truck is not expected this year.

Jeff Baril, a former selectman, disagreed, saying putting money away for this purchase would be smart considering the average cost to replace this type of equipment. Voters approved the Budget Committee’s recommendation to raise $20,000. Six people were opposed.

Voters agreed to raise and appropriate $5,000 for the purchase and construction of a town gazebo to be located at the town hall. The cost for this project is estimated at $18,000 to $20,000, and the town is anticipating additional funding via private donations.

Norm LaPlante served as moderator of the meeting.